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Essay / Influences in my life - 535
My interest in older people dates back to my formative years. Living in a 3-generation household has greatly influenced my values and personality. My parents had an impact on my life, but my grandparents played an important role since she (my grandmother) also lived under our roof. They all taught me to be motivated and disciplined. Their resilience and support helped me persevere even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Because of their kindness towards me, I have deep respect for them and for older people in general. This feeling was further strengthened when I worked in an assisted living facility and volunteered at our local hospice. The sum of these experiences is what motivates me to get involved in the field of social work and more specifically in geriatric studies. During my teenage years, I made decisions that were questionable, which affected me deeply and which caused me to suffer some setbacks personally and academically. I paid my dues, I persevered, and I got through it all in surprising ways. I learned the value of hard work despite obstacles and you...